Betty Lou Porter, daughter of the late Sherwood and Edith (Arnold) Thorson, was born Oct. 14, 1943, in Joliet, Ill., and passed away May 13, 2021, at Cox Health in Springfield. She was 77 years, 6 months and 30 days of age. Betty grew up in Illinois and graduated from Kankakee High School. She married John Porter on Sep. 2, 1977, in Kankakee, Ill. Betty was a homemaker and enjoyed taking care of the home and her family. She especially loved spoiling her grandchildren. Betty loved to be outdoors working in her vegetable garden and then canning her harvest from the garden. She also liked to do needlepoint and crocheting. Besides her parents, Betty was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald and David Thorson; and by one sister, Joyce Running. She is survived by her husband of their home, John Porter; two sons, James Sanford, of Springfield, and Dan Sanford and his wife, Stacey, of Edgar Springs; one sister, Linda Thorson Smith, of Brookport, Ill.; three grandchildren, Ezra, Daniel and Bennett “Bob”; and other relatives and friends who will miss her.
Visitation for Betty Porter was held Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from 1-2 p.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Funeral services followed the visitation at 2 p.m., also at the funeral home, with the Rev. Frank McCune officiating. Song selections were “Amazing Grace,” “The Wind Beneath My Wings” and “Kiss An Angel Good Morning.” Daniel Sanford, Ezra Sanford, Brad Blackwell, Roy Bontrager, Keith Murray and Jerry Jackson served as pallbearers. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
